When Ben Shelton found himself unexpectedly available to watch Trinity Rodman play on a recent Friday, she made sure to give him a performance worth cheering for.
The star of the Washington Spirit illuminated the field with two brilliant goals, leading her team to victory over the Houston Dash. Shelton, who had just suffered a disappointing early exit from Wimbledon, was there to witness his girlfriend’s dazzling display.
Rodman sealed the game with a dramatic 94th-minute goal, sprinting over to share a celebratory kiss with Shelton, marking a joyous highlight in an otherwise complex week for the pair.
Despite the exhilaration of the moment, Rodman described the experience as “bittersweet,” shadowed by Shelton’s unexpected defeat to Otto Virtanen in the opening round in London.
“Obviously it’s bittersweet,” Rodman confessed to Victory+ after their 2-1 triumph. “I wish he wasn’t here, but I’m obviously happy whenever he’s able to come and support me and I get to spend time with him,” she expressed, reflecting on the mix of emotions stemming from Shelton’s presence at the game.
“I love that that little amount of time that he’s able to see me that I can put goals in the back of the net. So, I’m happy about that.”
With Shelton traveling around the world for much of the year due to his tennis schedule, quality time is hard to come by for the couple.
However, Rodman was in the stands last summer at Wimbledon as he went on to make the quarterfinals.
Shelton also referred to Rodman as his “lucky charm” as she watched him win the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, Germany.
On Friday, Rodman won the game for the Spirit as she cut onto her left foot and slid a shot into the bottom corner past Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell. It was Rodman’s fifth goal of the season.
Shelton, meanwhile, will enjoy a bit of time off before resuming his busy tennis schedule.